Thursday, September 20, 2012

25 WHL Players To Watch In 2012-13

Like in years past, this was scheduled to be a 'top 10'
players to watch.But, I started the
list and couldn't cut it down any, so I decided to make it a list of 25
players.Safe to say that proves how
excited I am for the start of the season, which kicks off tonight as Edmonton
plays host to Kootenay.

Basically, this list is a grouping of 25 players I can't
wait to watch this WHL season.They
range from forwards, to defenceman, to goalies and also include players who
have been drafted and players eligible for future NHL drafts.The WHL is a great league with a ton of
talent, so take a look at my list of some players to keep a close eye on this
season.

1.Chris Driedger -
The Calgary Hitmen can definitely be considered a contender as we enter the
2012-13 season.They were solid last
year, have a ton of returning players and have the distinction of having one of
the top goaltenders in the league in Driedger.The Sens 2012 NHL Draft pick is poised to put up a solid season after
winning the starters role throughout the year last year.I fully expect him to finish in the top 5-7
in wins this season as well as posting solid peripheral numbers.

2. Curtis Lazar - The Edmonton Oil Kings have a future star
on their hands in Curtis Lazar.He came
on strong in the second half last year and was fantastic in the WHL
playoffs.He's in the running as a top
10 pick in the 2013 NHL draft and could end up as the WHL's highest drafted
forward when next June roles around.He
definitely sits near the top of this list of 25 in regards to my overall
interest level.

3. Colin Smith - The Kamloops Blazers are set to torch the
Western Conference in 2012-13.They're hard
working, have depth at every position and have veteran leadership.Smith fills a number of different roles after
translating a strong 2011-12 season into being drafted by the Colorado
Avalanche.Watch for Smith to end up
near the top of the WHL's scoring heap come next spring.

4. Ryan Pulock - This 18 year old was just named captain of
the Brandon Wheat Kings and he's ready for a massive year.He might be considered the best offensive
defender for the 2013 NHL Draft and I will definitely be looking for him to
post around 60+ points in 2012-13, while still maintaining his calm play with
and without the puck.He's got a level
head on his shoulders and it's safe to say every NHL team would want this kid
as one of their own.

5.Jamal Watson - The
Lethbridge Hurricanes are an up and coming squad in the WHL and one of the guys
driving their core forward is Jamal Watson.He's lightning fast, plays physical and has some interesting offensive
skills.As a 2013 NHL Draft eligible
player, he doesn't get enough attention.I'm expecting a solid year from this underrated, well-rounded package of
a player.

6. Mackenzie Skapski - The Kootenay Ice are in an
interesting spot entering the year.They
have a ton of young talent, but their inexperience might end up being their
downfall.If they're going to be a
successful team, much of that pressure falls on the shoulders of new starting
goalie Mackenzie Skapski.The 1994 takes
over for Nathan Lieuwen and I think he's fully capable of a solid year. Now
it's up to him to prove it.

7. Hunter Shinkaruk - Many have the newly named Medicine Hat
Tigers captain penciled in as the top forward prospect the WHL has to offer for
the 2013 NHL Draft. At this point, that's pretty tough to argue considering his
point totals the last couple of years.He's a fantastic player and could be in the running as a top scorer for
the 2012-13 season.But, he also faces
some pressure as the Tigers roster lost a ton of talent after last year
including Emerson Etem and Tyler Bunz. This is now Hunter's team.

8.Matej Stransky -
The Dallas Stars draft pick led the Blades in scoring last year and is now
scheduled to start the year with the Blades two top acquisitions from the
summer, Brenden Walker and Shane McColgan.The chances of Stransky scoring 40 goals this year are high, but those
expectations also come with pressure.Can he repeat his 2011-12 success during such a pressure-filled
year?Time will tell, but I can't wait
to see how Stransky handles it.

9. Sam Reinhart - I already touched on the growing pains
potentially ahead for the Ice and for them to counter that, Sam Reinhart will
need to continue his upward swing.The
kid has been lighting the WHL on fire ever since he first played full time with
the Ice during the playoffs in 2010-11.He's not eligible for the NHL draft until 2014, so he still has a ton of
time to dazzle people with well rounded play.I can't wait to see him play live several times this season.A truly unique talent.

10.Patrik Bartosak -
The Red Deer Rebels are poised to be one of those middle-ground teams in the
WHL's East in 2012-13.One guy that
could elevate them above that is their goaltender Patrik Bartosak.He entered the WHL as a rookie last year and
had a fantastic first half of the season before tweaking his knee and missing
the rest of the year.He's a big,
talented goaltender who is one of those many European wild cards the WHL seems
to offer this season, especially in goal.

11.Morgan Klimchuk -
The Regina Pats will be driven forward this year by a 20 year old goaltender,
atleast one solid veteran on the blueline and a group of talented young
forwards.The showcase talent is
definitely Morgan Klimchuk.He's got
wheels, great hands and could end up leading the team in scoring, along with
Chandler Stephenson.He's draft eligible
and will be in the mix for the 1st round in 2013.Keep your eyes on this kid.

12.Ty Rattie -
Predictions are abound for who will win the WHL scoring title in 2012-13.For my money, Ty Rattie of the Portland
Winterhawks is the best bet.The St.
Louis Blues prospect comes in the year bigger, stronger and with another year
of experience under his belt.Him and
Michael St. Croix will likely go punch for punch all season and it will be
interesting to see who comes out on top of the scoring race.

13. Victor Rask - The
Swedish import now has a full WHL year under his belt and it's time to use that
experience to his advantage.He's a big
talented kid that can take over a game when he wants.Calgary has some depth up front so Rask is
poised to put up massive numbers.The
Hurricanes will be watching closely as he could even jump straight to the NHL
in 2013-14.

14. Brendan Leipsic - The diminutive forward had a strong
playoff and turned that into a nice slot at the NHL draft, getting picked by
Nashville.With the Winterhawks losing
some players from last year, the pressure is on Leipsic to up the ante and
provide more offence.He's capable and
could end up being considered a steal of the 2012 draft if he keeps up his hard
work.

15. Seth Jones - As mentioned, this list varies in interest
level for myself.But it's safe to say
Seth Jones sits at the top of it.He's
made the jump to the WHL and is a likely top 2 pick for the 2013 NHL
Draft.He had a strong pre-season with
Portland and is poised for a 40+ rookie campaign.He's my top choice for WHL rookie of the year
this year as he's an impressive mix of size and skill. I can't wait to see him
on the ice, especially when I get to see him live in October.

16. Michael St. Croix - The kid can flat out score.He proved that last year.That will definitely continue this year as
the Oil Kings are poised for another run at the Memorial Cup after winning the
WHL title last season.St. Croix is the
offensive motor behind the team and could be one guy that has the ability to
challenge Ty Rattie for the WHL scoring title.

17. Jake Virtanen - If someone is going to challenge Jones
for rookie of the year, I would predict it would be this kid.The Calgary Hitmen rookie does a little bit
of everything and is poised for a strong rookie season after being the 1st
overall pick in the WHL bantam draft in 2011.He's surrounded by talent and will definitely catch your eye when you
watch him.I've seen him play a few
times and am very excited to see more of him, especially live.

18.Morgan Rielly - Nobody
got a great look at Morgan Rielly last year, due to his early season knee
injury.Luckily, I had the chance to see
him a ton as a 16 year old and a few times before and after his injury last
season.He's a fantastic talent, a
Leafs prospect and will need to be stellar this season for the Moose Jaw
Warriors to get back into the playoffs.It's actually kid of funny to say to watch for this kid, because when
he's on the ice you can't miss him.Expect him to be near the top of the league in scoring for WHL
blueliners in 2012-13.

19.Eric Comrie -
Comrie is still considered one of the top goalie prospects to come through the
WHL in recent years and the Tri-City Americans are among those sharing that
mind frame.He's their go-to guy as a 17
year old and he's a talented kid.The
pressure is on, but he's a hard worker and has a solid team in front of him.Don't be shocked if he ends up as a top 20
pick at the 2013 NHL Draft.

20. Leon Draisatl - The Prince Albert Raiders were lucky
enough to pick this kid 2nd overall in the 2012 CHL Import Draft.He had a solid pre-season and was very
impressive in the two live viewings of him I had in exhibition play.He's big, he goes to the net and he has
finish.He's a darkhorse for the rookie
of the year running and will definitely be a kid to keep an eye on for the 2014
NHL Draft.

21. Shane McColgan - The Saskatoon Blades paid a decent
price to bring in McColgan and Jessey Astles last spring and they're going to
give him every chance to succeed in 2012-13.He's going to get top line minutes, likely quarterback a powerplay and
will be counted on as a leader.He's
also been considered by some to be arguably the most dynamic and skillful player
the Blades have had in the last decade.These roles come with pressure and it will be interesting to see how he
handles it in a Memorial Cup year.

22. Adam Lowry - I had such high hopes for this Jets draft
pick in 2011-12.But a wrist injury
slowed his development and forced him to miss time for the Swift Current
Broncos.The Broncos appear to be on the
upswing and if that's to continue, Lowry will need to be the driving force as
captain.He's a big body, is physical
and has some true offensive talent.He's
one of my favourite players in the league to watch and I look forward to seeing
him fully healthy this year.

23. Marek Tvrdon - There is no doubting that this big Slovak
is one of the most talented players in the league.He's coming off a 30+ goal season and I
wouldn't be shocked to see him increase that total up near 50.Vancouver is a darkhorse out West in my mind
and he is an offensive leader for them.He's also very fun to watch.

24. Josh Morrissey - I've been high on Morrissey since I
first saw him live a couple seasons ago.A couple years later and he's in his NHL Draft year and poised to take
on a huge role with the Prince Albert Raiders.He's talented offensively, plays with grit and isn't afraid to be a
leader on and off the ice. Watch for him to quarterback the Raiders PP and put
up a great offensive season along with being a top 20 pick in the 2013 NHL
Draft.

25. Brenden Kichton - Kichton is arguably the best offensive
defender the WHL has to offer.He was
2nd in scoring for blueliners two years ago and 1st in scoring for defenders
last year.I expect him to do that
again.Will it be with the Spokane
Chiefs or does he get dealt to a different squad?That's yet to be determined, but one thing is
for sure, this kid is poised to be an elite scorer again in 2012-13.

Happened to see him on the weekend. Definitely a skilled player. Took to long in his decision making with the puck on several occasions, was looking to pass it always instead of shoot. Would like to see him play more aggressive in that way. Didn't play nearly as physical as I would have liked him to. He pulled up on the forecheck a few times instead of finishing his hit. Overall an intriguing prospect for 2013 and a guy that could eventually climb up the rankings once he gets more comfortable.